Human Trafficking – Modern Day Slavery English Subject Curriculum Culture, society and literature The aims of the studies are to enable pupils to –elaborate on and discuss a number of international and global challenges

Human Trafficking What is human trafficking? An illegal and criminal trade in human beings carried out by criminals who by force deprive men, women and children of their freedom and turn them into slaves, making them work or provide various services without their consent (and pay) Human trafficking can take place across national borders as well as within a country

A UN Definition of Human Trafficking The United Nations (UN) defines human trafficking as: The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of persons (the movement). By means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of abuse of power or a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person (the means). For the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation includes, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs (the purpose).

The Scope of the Problem How Many Fall Victim to Human Trafficking? Due to the illegal nature of this kind of criminal activity, it is difficult to give an accurate estimate UN believe that 4 million people fell victim to human trafficking in 2006 The US Government estimates that people are trafficked across borders every year –1/3 of those trafficked into the USA every year are children Trafficking in human beings is the third largest illegal activity in the world, only surpassed by the trafficking of drugs and weapons - some believe that it will soon surpass both illegal trade in drug and weapons

Who Are the Victims? Men, women and children The majority of victims are believed to be women and children – a majority of these are believed to end up as sex workers Most of the victims are poor, unemployed and/or uneducated Many are from Eastern Europe, Asia or Africa

Who Are the Traffickers? Human traffickers may be: Part of a local, national or international criminal groups or organizations Networks of organized crime Individual freelancers Traffickers are not always strangers: People are often ”trafficked” by someone they know: Parents Grandparents Uncles and aunts Other family members and relatives Boyfriends Spouses (ektefeller) –A neighbour –A friend or acquaintance

How Do People Become Victims of Human Trafficking? They are deceived by false promises of: –a good job –an education –a marriage –a better life They are kidnapped or abducted They are sold by: –family members –friends –acquaintances –neighbours –boyfriends (girlfriends?)

What Happens to Victims of Human Trafficking? Part I The sex industry: Many are sold into the sex industry where they are forced to work as: –Prostitutes –Strippers –Actors in pornographic films –Participants in live-sex shows –Etc. Forced labour: –Domestic servants –Agriculture – farm workers –Soldiers (African children) –Sweatshops –Factories –Begging –Restaurants –Forestry –Etc.

What Happens to Victims of Human Trafficking? Part II Involuntary human organ donors: –People are abducted and harvested for vital organs such as: Kidneys Liver Heart Lungs Eyeballs Etc. Abducted and sold off as brides: –Young girls in Asia, especially in the rural parts of China, are abducted and sold off as brides to bachelors Abduction of children –In China a large number of children are abducted every year –Many of them are sold to childless couples

How Are Victims Controlled by the Traffickers? Victims are controlled by their traffickers in many ways: Beating, starving, and raping their victims Removal of passports, ID cards, and other documents Isolating victims by keeping them locked up and not allowing any outside contact Subjecting victims to debt bondage, i.e. making them work to pay off debt they are told they owe for travelling and living expenses Forcing them to take drugs Threatning them and their families with injury and death Threatning to shame them by telling the victim’s family or friends what they are doing

Why Do People Fall Victim to Human Trafficking? Poverty Unemployment Abusive family situation Lack of education Lack of economic opportunities in general Deception by people they trust Armed conflict or war situations Consumerism – hunger for material well being, fuelled by media – create a desire or need for more money Hope for a better life – to fulfill their dreams Etc.

By Nina Sandström Angelsen Selbu videregående skole